Netflix Survival Drama ‘Breathe’ Casts ‘Unorthodox’ Alum Jeff Wilbusch (EXCLUSIVE)

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe HBO Max reboot of “Pretty Little Liars” has found its first two cast members.Chandler Kinney and Maia Reficco have both been cast in the series, which is titled “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.” In addition, Lisa Soper has come onboard to direct the first two episodes of the series.Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterABC is passing on three more drama pilots from its 2021 pilot season slate.“National Parks Investigation,” “Triage,” and “Dark Horse” have all been passed over by the network after being in consideration for midseason pickups. Fellow dramas “Epic” and “Promised Land” remain in contention.“National Parks Investigation” boasted Kevin Costner as co-writer and executive producer.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Last of Us” series at HBO has added Nico Parker in a guest starring role, Variety has confirmed.Parker will appear as Sarah, the daughter of Joel (Pedro Pascal). Along with Pascal, Parker joins previously announced cast members Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Merle Dandridge.Parker most recently appeared in a lead role in the HBO/Sky miniseries “The Third Day,” starring opposite Jude Law.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has ordered a series based on the Ali Novak YA novel “My Life With the Walter Boys,” Variety has learned exclusively.The streamer has given the drama series a 10-episode order, with episodes set to be approximately 50 minutes each. In the coming of age show, following the loss of her family in a tragic accident, 16-year old Manhattanite Jackie Howard has to learn to adapt to a new life in rural Colorado with her guardian – and 12 very rowdy kids.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterApple is developing a drama series about Negro League Baseball, Variety has learned.The streamer has acquired the rights to the non-fiction book “If You Were Only White: The Life of Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige” by Donald Spivey to develop as a series.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLaurie Holden is joining “The Boys” Season 3 at Amazon in a recurring role, Variety has learned exclusively.Holden will portray the supe known as Crimson Countess.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“The Upshaws” has been renewed for Season 2 at Netflix.The first season of the multi-cam comedy debuted on the streamer in May. The new season will feature 16 half-hour episodes, an increase from 10 in the first season.“We are so excited we get to bring this amazing show back for a second season,” said Regina Hicks, the show’s co-creator and co-showrunner.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDean Winters has joined the “Joe Exotic” series at Peacock in the role of Jeff Lowe.Fans of the hit Netflix docuseries “Tiger King” will recall that Lowe became Exotic’s business partner and ally in his fight against Carole Baskin before eventually turning on him.Winters is the latest addition to the already stacked cast of “Joe Exotic.” He joins previously announced series leads Kate McKinnon, who will play Baskin, and John Cameron Mitchell, who will play Exotic.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterSasha Silver has been promoted to head of drama for Hulu Originals.Silver takes over the role from Jordan Helman, who was recently promoted to lead scripted content for the streamer. Silver will report to Helman in her new role.“Sasha’s incredible relationships with artists and discerning eye for rich, compelling dramas have been a not-so-secret weapon in the success of Hulu Originals for years now,” said Helman.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe Amazon pilot “The Horror of Dolores Roach” has added three new cast members, Variety has learned exclusively.Alejandro Hernandez, Kita Updike, and K. Todd Freeman have all joined the Blumhouse Television-produced pilot alongside previously announced lead Justina Machado.The project, based on the Spotify podcast of the same name, was first announced as being in development at Amazon back in May.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix has given a straight-to-series order to a comedy set in the front office of the Los Angeles Lakers from writer Elaine Ko and executive producer Mindy Kaling, Variety has learned.The untitled, half-hour series is inspired by the personal and professional dynamic between the family owners and front office team that together run one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJack Huston has been cast in the upcoming Amazon series “Expats,” the adaptation of Janice Y.K. Lee’s novel “The ExpatriatesSet against the fabric of Hong Kong, “Expats” is the story of an international community whose lives are bound together forever after a sudden family tragedy.Huston will play David Starr, who has long lived in the shadow of his impressive wife Hilary.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Grand Army” will not march on at Netflix. Variety has learned exclusively that the streamer has canceled the drama series after just one season.The nine-episode first season of the teen drama debuted on Netflix back in October.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWill Smith is set to host and star in a new one-hour comedy variety special at Netflix, Variety has learned.The special will include comedy sketches, musical performances, surprise celebrity guests, and noteworthy conversations among other things. It is set to launch on Netflix globally later this year.Westbrook Studios will produce the special for Netflix.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Assassin’s Creed” live-action series at Netflix has enlisted Jeb Stuart to serve as writer, Variety has learned exclusively from sources.The series was first announced as being in development in October as part of a deal between Netflix and Ubisoft to develop content based on the best-selling video game franchise. The deal includes live-action, animated, and anime series.

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix’s survival drama series Breathe, which stars In The Heights’ Melissa Barrera, is adding to its creative team.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “Resident Evil” live-action series at Netflix has set its main cast, with Lance Reddick set to star as Albert Wesker.Along with Reddick, the series will also star Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong, Adeline Rudolph, and Paola Nuñez. Details on which characters the others will be playing are being kept under wraps.“Resident Evil” was originally ordered at Netflix back in August.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNetflix and Ubisoft Film & Television are expanding their relationship, with the streamer ordering a “Far Cry” adult anime series as well as ordering the adult anime series “Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.”The “Far Cry” series is based on the first-person shooter game franchise of the same name, with each game revolving around the main character working against a fearsome dictator that controls a particular island or isolated region.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “She-Hulk” series at Disney Plus has cast Jameela Jamil in a major role, Variety has confirmed with sources.The series centers on lawyer Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany), cousin of Bruce Banner, who inherits his Hulk powers after she receives a blood transfusion from him. Unlike Bruce, however, when she hulks out Jennifer is able to retain most of her personality, intelligence, and emotional control.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe “MacGruber” series at Peacock has added Sam Elliott, Laurence Fishburne and Mickey Rourke to its cast.The trio of acting legends joins previously announced cast members Will Forte, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe. In the eight-episode series, after rotting in prison for over a decade, America’s ultimate hero and uber patriot MacGruber (Forte) is finally released.